The biggest aggravation for me when using a computer is that I must manually configure any computer I use for my own personal preferences. Whether it is the options for the file manager, the layout of my desktop or the default web browser or music player, my settings do not follow me. The great advantage of web-based applications is no matter where I login from, the application retains my preferences. It doesn’t matter if I use FaceBook, Outlook Web Access, Google Applications or Online Banking, the experience is the same on a Mac, PC or mobile device. I crave this same functionality in every application that I use.
In designing future operating systems, it is important for Apple, Microsoft and Google to develop an OS that maintains the same user experience no matter how the applications and data are accessed. In today’s world, users are almost always connected, but currently data is stored in many different locations across several computers and mobile devices. To make life easier, Windows 8, MacOS 11 and Chrome OS should all natively support Cloud Computing. Windows 8 or MacOS 11 should have a login screen that recognizes if you want to login to your account on the cloud, or use the local machine. When new applications are installed, the programs should actually be installed in your own self-contained folder in the cloud.
From the OS perspective this should be preferred. Microsoft or Apple would only have to install the program one time, and then the user would need to provide proof the program was purchased or purchase directly from the OS provider (similar to the iTunes App Store). It would help with piracy, because proof of purchase would be necessary before access to the application was granted. It would help with compatiability, because the OS creator would only need to certify that the application worked in the cloud. Even though the the need for packaged software is eliminated, online retailers could still act as resellers of the license. The cloud architecture would allow everything from settings, installed applications, desktop backgrounds, and start menu configurations to remain the same on every computer used.
By having a Cloud OS, the end-user would be able to store all documents in one central place. The user would not have to worry about using a third-party program to sync documents between a home computer, laptop and work computer, they would be able to store and access everything in the cloud. This would provide central storage of photos, documents, music and video collections. It would also ease transition to new machines because all the user’s programs, data and settings would immediately sync to any new machine used.
The risk of this type of architecture is loss of data and privacy. As seen this week, even Microsoft cannot be trusted to backup cloud data, so to be successful, the Cloud OS would need to offer third-party services for archiving data, and also provide an option of downloading copies of the data to the local computer. This may be data intensive the first time completed, but once data is transfered the first time, only changes would be synced between the local computer and the cloud. The Cloud OS could still require that you purchase a license to install the base OS on every computer, and even could charge an additional subscription fee for the cloud option. It would be important that a local-only option be provided for individuals that are concerned about having all personal data in the cloud.
From a security prespective, the Cloud OS would have to include encryption and virus detection natively. With the primary version of the data placed in the cloud, the OS could prevent the spread of malicious code and prevent phishing by providing constant updates without any action needed by the end user. As security risks were found, the updates would be installed in the cloud. This would automate tasks that consume valuable IT and end-user time and expertise.
The other component necessary for the Cloud OS to be sucessful, is having a mobile access option. Data would need to be availabe whether using an iPhone, a Windows Mobile device, an Android Phone, or a BlackBerry. On the mobile device, due to space limitations and connectivity issues, options would need to be provided to sync some data locally (i.e. music, documents or photos), and stream or have online access to the remainder of the cloud data. This structure would have to be implemented through device specific applications or a mobile browser. (A subset of these features are already available from cloud-based backup services like SugarSync and MobileMe).
It is also important that software developers incorporate cloud computing in all future software releases. When new software is developed and sold, both locally-installed and cloud versions of the applications should be created. Large companies like Adobe, Microsoft and Google are already working on products that embrace cloud computing. Microsoft’s next version of Office is being developed concurrently with a web-based version, and even a free ad-supported version. This is great for the Cloud OS, because it guarantees that Microsoft Word and Excel functionality would be available to every user of the Cloud OS. Google already has cross-platform versions of Google Applications that offer similar functionality, and is developing its future Chrome OS to extend the features of the cloud applications.
Fortunately, current trends suggest that the future of computing is Cloud-Based whether Microsoft of Apple embrace it. Many people already use and depend on cloud computing everyday without even realizing it. GMail, Yahoo Mail, HotMail, AOL Mail, and Exchange Accounts all use the cloud to store your data. Even Facebook and Twitter are cloud platforms. Many users are now using Facebook as a primary address book, instant messaging service, mail service, and photo archive. If you enjoy the availability of the data on FaceBook, imagine how great it would be if everything you used on a personal computer was available the same way. The Cloud OS would take these features and seamlessly integrate them everywhere. Every document, song, picture, or program you purchased would always be available, and you would never again have to reconfigure program preferences or options repeatedly.
Please let me know your thoughts on my vision of the Cloud Computing future, and if you haven’t already, start to take advantage of cloud computing options that are currently available.
This is a great concept. I always though it would be great if i am able to install a OS my web site or a space anywhere on the net. So that wherever i go i just log in into my website and the set up is available to me .But with Windows data security will be a big problem .
Hopefully cloud OS will help to achieve that
nice post.
thanks, I learned a lot!
The future is cloudy, but not exclusively cloudy. You can use certain applications remotely, but will they be fast enough? That is highly unplausible for games. Current technology does not allow gaming even local network with no additional traffic.
In addition, you will not find network connectivity anywhere (in the same way you cannot find electricity anywhere). With the increasing power and capacity of the smaller devices created, what is the point of wasting this resource in favour of a worse one?
Combination of the best of each world is the key to success.
Nice post. It seems we are are a point where local and cloud computing need to “Co-Exist” as the technology advances forward.